Keane lays out managerial criteria

14 October 2013 09:31

Robbie Keane has called for the Republic of Ireland to appoint a no-nonsense manager to help revive the nation's fortunes.

The Republic will complete their World Cup qualifying campaign against Kazakhstan in Dublin on Tuesday evening knowing they have no chance of making it to Brazil next summer and with interim boss Noel King at the helm following the departure of Giovanni Trapattoni last month.

They will return to competitive action next September as they embark upon their bid to reach the finals of Euro 2016 with a new manager in place, with the Football Association of Ireland currently scouring the field for a replacement for the 74-year-old Italian.

Martin O'Neill, Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane figure prominently on the list of potential candidates, but Robbie Keane has very definite ideas about the qualities required to make a success of the job.

The 33-year-old Ireland captain said: "I want someone who is an honest manager who doesn't mess around, understands how important it is to be involved in international level, someone who is very, very proud to be a manager and be proud of what we are trying to achieve in Ireland.

"Someone who is honest and someone who has b**** and doesn't take any s*** from anyone."

The LA Galaxy frontman, who is in line to win his 130th senior cap against the Kazakhs, played under McCarthy and alongside Roy Keane for his country and knows their merits well.

He is also aware of what O'Neill would bring to the party, and would have no qualms over any of the trio if they were appointed.

Keane said: "The names I have heard being mentioned, if any of them took over, I think everybody would be fairly happy. It could be any of those - I don't know the answer to that.

"I think it's important whoever takes over it's a fresh start for everybody, the whole country gets behind them and we wish them well whoever that may be."